December 5, 2008

Most of my most beloved smells originate in the kitchen: hot apple pie (or, let's be serious, anything involving cinnamon), coffee, and Eb and his freshly-baked sourdough bread, to name only a few. One of my less-obvious favorites is the aroma of spicy baked beans as they bubble away in the oven.

I hesitate to say it, but isn't it unfortunate how something can smell so good at first, and then a few hours later be so foul and offensive?

[I'm sorry--is that distasteful blog content? Meh, it's a fact of life. But seriously, if you're repulsed, I apologize. My excuse is that I was raised sandwiched between two brothers.]

This is a recipe that I've tweaked and honed until it suits me perfectly. I'll bet you have your favorite version of baked beans, too, and I hope you'll agree--they're worth the inevitable trouble...

Combine all ingredients and stir. Pour into large baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until amount of liquid of choice remains, stirring occasionally. Consume with a side of Bean-o.

I have never actually "baked" beans and have wanted to try a recipe for authentic baked beans. These look so good! My middle child is CRAZY about beans and would eat them every day if he could. And yes...he is the gassiest of all my boys! Seeing that you are sandwiched between two brothers, you are familiar with the joys of living with stinky boys!

I have a bean recipe called Party Beans, I think I originally got it from Taste of Home. I too have tweaked it over the years. Similar in some ways to yours. I like your choice of spices. I have been wanting to make some beans for a while.

Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot, the more you toot, the better you feel, so each your beans and make it real. Not sure of the last line there but I couldnt resist sharing.

That looks wonderful. I make my grandma's recipe, but it doesn't have all the spice yours does. (Think she woulda had plenty in West Texas, but I guess not.) I was surprised you didn't put cinnamon in them! :)

I love baked beans, and my favorite way to prepare them is simply to add brown sugar, bbq sauce, ketchup, relish, diced onion, garlic, and then let it all simmer for a few hours in the slow cooker. However, after a very misfortunate incident involving transporting these in my husband's car and a sharp left turn, I am no longer allowed to buy or make baked beans-- as he cannot stand the smell (after spending weeks trying to get them cleaned out of the car).

Baked beans is something I've always wanted to make but never seem to get round to it. Never even heard of some of the beans you mention in the ingredient list but I certainly want to give this a try. Comfort food of note!

I love baked beans and one of the things I love about summer is the smoker going outside and the inside of the house filled up with that beautiful smell of beans baking. Although sometimes I will throw them on the smoker to give them more smokiness flavor.